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    Home » Recipes

    Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal

    January 31, 2022 by Stephen & Elise Compston, RD, LDs 10 Comments

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    Tender, fluffy, and perfectly spiced, Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal is the ultimate, upgraded year-round comfort food.

    Overhead shot of a slice of Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal next to pan of oatmeal

    The holidays may be over but the love for gingerbread spice runs strong in our family all year long. It's cozy, comforting, and a classic combination of spices that always stirs up memories of time spent with family. This Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal combines nutrient-rich oats with holiday spices and the right touch of sweetness to make it one breakfast we always look forward to. We hope you love this family favorite as much as we do!

    Why You Should Make Baked Oatmeal

    Baked oatmeal makes a cozy, comforting, nutritious breakfast option for home or on-the-go. It also appeals to those who don't enjoy the standard "soggy" or "mushy" consistency of regular oatmeal. Baked oatmeal has a texture that can be described as a mix between oatmeal and a muffin. Not too wet, and not too dry.

    They're a pinch to make and totally customizable
    Baked oats are incredibly easy to make. Simply mix everything together, bake, and enjoy! They are also extremely versatile! From varying fruits, nuts, seeds, spiced - even vegetables!- there are so many ways to love them.

    They're Nutritious!
    Oats are rich in vitamins, minerals, and protective antioxidants. Oats also contain beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber credited with helping to support healthy cholesterol levels and the beneficial bacteria in the gut. We upgrade these oats even further with nutrient rich ingredients like zucchini and chia seeds which add fiber, phytochemicals, and important vitamins and minerals.

    They're the ultimate comfort food.
    If you've never tried baked oatmeal you are in for a treat! It is cozy, comforting, and these gingerbread spices will remind you of the happiest holiday memories any time of year.

    What You'll Need

    Oats
    Old-fashioned, rolled oats work best for baked oatmeal. Quick-cook oats can substituted, however there will be a slight difference in texture.

    Milk
    We've made baked oatmeal dozens of times and with nearly as many kinds of milk. Both dairy and non-dairy milk works wonderfully.

    Zucchini
    Ok, zucchini isn't totally necessary to make these oats, but we say, why not? Zucchini adds moisture, fiber and nutrients. If you don't have zucchini on hand or just don't love it, simply omit. We recommend adding ¼ cup extra milk to compensate.

    Eggs
    Eggs bind and "set" the oatmeal and give it structure for slicing. You can replace eggs for flax eggs, with some difference in texture - be sure to reduce your milk too! Flax eggs use 1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoon warm water for each egg needed. Let the flax/water mixture sit for several minutes (to become thickened and viscous) before adding to the rest of your recipe.

    Spice Mix
    You can't have gingerbread without spices! Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice add just the right mix to this blend. Out of allspice? Ground cloves can be substituted with a similar end result.

    Molasses
    Another important component to achieving that classic gingerbread flavor is molasses. Blackstrap molasses in particular offers a rich, intense flavor and host of nutrients like iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants. To add a touch more sweetness we add maple syrup to balance the flavors.

    Chia Seeds
    Chia seeds add fiber, essential nutrients, and also help bind the oatmeal together. You can swap with ground flax or leave out altogether if you don't have.

    Icing
    A simple sugar icing adds that "cherry on top" to our oats. You can swap the icing for a dollop of yogurt, your favorite nut butter, or mascarpone cheese for delicious alternatives.

    How To Make

    Step 1
    Baked oatmeal is incredibly easy to make. To start, we shred our zucchini and pat to remove excess moisture. It is important to press out as much water as possible to avoid "soggy oats".

    Close-up shot of finely shredded zucchini on top of paper towels.
    It's important to remove as much moisture as possible from the zucchini to avoid "soggy" oats!

    Step 2
    Next, we combine our zucchini along with all other remaining ingredients into a mixing bowl.

    Blackstrap molasses contributes rich flavor and a number of beneficial nutrients.

    Step 3
    While the oats bake it's time to whip together our 3-ingredient icing. You can make your frosting as thick or thin as desired by adjusting the ratio of powdered sugar to milk.

    Side by side shot of bowl of powdered sugar and prepared icing
    You can adjust the viscosity of your icing based on preference.

    Step 4
    Finally, it's time to ice our oatmeal! For best results we recommend letting the oatmeal cool slightly before applying. You can also prepare your frosting and wait to apply just prior to serving.

    Side by side shots of baked Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal with and without icing.
    You can add as much or as little icing as desired or even wait to apply until it's time to eat!

    The only thing left to do is enjoy!

    Overhead shot of a pan of baked Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal with icing drizzle
    Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal is the ultimate comfort food for breakfast!

    Frequently Asked Questions About Baked Oatmeal

    Can I prep baked oatmeal ahead of time?
    Baked oats can absolutely be baked and frozen for future meals. We recommend keeping the icing separate and applying just before serving. It's also helpful to freeze the oats in individual portions for ease and convenience later on. For those wondering if the mixture can be prepared and then baked the following day, the answer is NO. Oats and chia seeds soak up much of the liquid and baking after sitting overnight can lead to a dried out, sad end product.

    Another option is to prepare your mixture and bake in two separate, smaller batches. That way you can immediately freeze half and enjoy the other half throughout the week.

    How long does baked oatmeal last?
    For best results, we recommend storing baked oatmeal in the refrigerator and consuming within 3-4 days after baking. Freeze any uneaten portions as soon as you realize you may not finish it in time. Baked oatmeal can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Can I add more protein?
    Absolutely. To beef up the protein in our oatmeal we like adding several scoops of collagen peptides or a favorite protein powder.

    Can baked oats be made vegan?
    Yes! Plant milk can be used in place of dairy and flax or chia "eggs" can be swapped in for eggs. Flax/chia eggs don't give the same structure but the end result will be just as tasty! We also recommend doubling your baking powder to help give it some lift.

    Is baked oatmeal gluten free?
    Yes! As long as you are utilizing certified gluten free oats you can rest assured that your oatmeal is gluten free.

    Help! My oats ended up a bit mushy.
    Oats that don't fully set may have too much liquid or have not been baked long enough. In recipes like this that use a water-rich vegetable like zucchini, it is important to drain and pat dry fully before adding to the dry mixture. If using any especially juicy zucchini you may opt to increase your cooking time another 5-7 minutes as well.

    Overhead shot of a slice on Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal next to a pan of oatmeal
    Print Recipe
    5 from 11 votes

    Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal

    Tender, fluffy, and perfectly spiced, Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal is the ultimate upgraded year-round comfort food.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time45 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 215kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups rolled oats
    • 2 tbsp chia seeds
    • 1 ½ cups milk of choice
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 cup finely shredded zucchini approx. 1 medium
    • 2 tablespoon avocado oil
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoon blackstrap molasses
    • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
    • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice can sub with ground cloves

    "Icing"

    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 2 tbsp milk of choice
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
    • Finely grate zucchini and place between paper towels or cheese cloth to remove excess moisture.
    • Add zucchini and all other oatmeal ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Stir well to combine.
    • Pour mixture into a lightly greased 8x8 baking pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until top is lightly golden and oats are "set".

    "Icing"

    • To a mixing bowl combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until completely smooth. NOTE: for a thicker icing, reduce milk.
    • Once oatmeal has cooled slightly, drizzle icing over the top.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 215kcal
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Aliya Atkinson

      March 02, 2023 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      I cant wait to try this as a breakfast staple for my weekly meal preps! This will be perfect as a sweet treat to start my mornings!

      Reply
    2. Amaria Fulgham

      February 27, 2023 at 8:54 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love gingerbread! The flavor is unmatched, so I immediately was drawn to this recipe. I am excited to try this with ingredients that I may not have used on my own. It looks great!

      Reply
    3. Lili Brazil

      February 15, 2023 at 8:17 pm

      5 stars
      I love anything gingerbread so when I saw this recipe I knew that I had to try it. My favorite baked oatmeal is from Heritage House but once I try this recipe I'm sure this will be my new favorite!!

      Reply
    4. Margaret K.

      February 14, 2023 at 12:25 pm

      5 stars
      I just love the idea of this! Oatmeal is my comfort food and with the gingerbread flavor, it will definitely give an even more comfortable taste that reminds me of Christmas! I'm excited to try this recipe out!

      Reply
    5. Holli Lovoy

      November 11, 2022 at 9:09 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe looks so good! Me and my sister were just talking about wanting to start baking more, we will definitely be baking this!

      Reply
      • Stephen & Elise Compston, RD, LDs

        November 20, 2022 at 9:32 am

        Hi Holli, we think this is a great recipe to get started! We hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    6. Judy

      February 01, 2022 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      A new family favorite for breakfast!

      Reply
      • Stephen & Elise Compston, RD, LDs

        February 01, 2022 at 3:06 pm

        Thank you! We are glad to hear that!

        Reply
        • Mary

          February 24, 2022 at 2:02 pm

          Did you leave out the molasses/maple syrup? Can't find them in the recipe.

          Reply
          • Stephen & Elise Compston, RD, LDs

            February 24, 2022 at 2:51 pm

            Hi Mary, oops! Great catch, thank you. The recipe has been updated with the proper maple syrup and molasses quantities. We hope you enjoy!

            Reply

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    The Compstons

    We're Stephen and Elise Compston! Husband and wife registered dietitians, recipe revitalizers, and developers of upgraded everyday eats. We create simple, affordable, plant-focused recipes with fun, fresh, and creative spins on classic dishes and tasty new favorites.

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